Hysterectomy

Recommended For Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy surgery is prescribed for women experiencing one or more of the following medical problems:

● Uterine fibrosis which can show bleeding, pain or other medical problems
● Uterine prolapsed – sliding of the uterus into the vaginal canal 
● Cancer of the ovaries, cervix or uterus 
● Endometriosis 
● Chronic pelvic pain 
● Adenomyosis – a thickening of the uterus 
● Abnormal vaginal bleeding 

Hysterectomy surgery for non-cancerous health problems is just thought to be after all other treatment options have failed.

Not Recommended For Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy operation is not suggested for patients who had one or more of the following:

● Uterine size greater than 280 g 
● Previous multiple pelvic or abdominal surgeries 
● Advanced uterine malignancies 
● Advanced cervical malignancies 
● Ovarian malignancies 

This procedure is also not suggested for patients wanting to have children in the future or patients experiencing morbid obesity.

Discharge From Hospital

Patient is required to stay 2 to 5 nights in the hospital

Duration Of Operation

2 to 4 hours

Minimum Stay

2 to 4 weeks

Overview

Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and cervix may be removed as well throughout this operation, together with other surrounding tissue.

Gynecologists are the ones who generally perform hysterectomy surgery. Hysterectomy procedure may be:

● Total Hysterectomy surgery

The body of the uterus is removed, together with the cervix and fundus. A complete hysterectomy is also another way to call.

● Partial Hysterectomy surgery

The body of the uterus is removed; on the other hand, the cervix is left untouched. Supracervical hysterectomy is also another way to call.

● Radical Hysterectomy surgery

The uterus is removed, together with any adjacent tissue. The cervix and the top part of the vagina are also removed. Radical hysterectomy is generally performed on patients experiencing cancer. In this procedure, the ovaries might also be removed – this type of surgery is called oophorectomy.

The most common gynecological procedure is hysterectomy surgery – over 600.000 operations are carried out yearly in the United States only. Hysterectomy operation could also be carried out before or as a part of sex reassignment operation for trans men. It is generally performedin conjunction with hormone replacement.

Preparation

Smoking is needed to be stopped for a month before the hysterectomy operation. The gynecological surgeon needs to be aware of any medications that the patient might be taking, just as supplements or herbal teas. Hysterectomy operation cannot be carried out before or during menstruation.

How It Is Performed

Hysterectomy operation is generally carried out under general anesthesia, but it can be done by using various techniques.Some of the most common techniques include: 

Abdominal hysterectomy surgery 

Advantages 
● No limitations by the size of the uterus 
● It can be joined with incontinence operation

Disadvantages 
● The highest rate of potential complications
● Longest recovery period 
● Longest hospital stay 

Vaginal hysterectomy surgery 

Advantages 
● Shortest operation time
● Short recovery period 
● It can be joined with a reduction method

Disadvantages 
● It can be restricted by the size of the uterus or previousoperation 
● Highest blood loss 

 

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy operation

Advantages 
● The low danger of developing a complication
● Shorter recovery hysterectomy recovery period 
● Less blood loss 

Disadvantages 
● Approximately 15% of patients will keep on have menstrual bleeding

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy operation

Advantages 
● Limited blood loss  ● The shorter hysterectomy recovery period 

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy operation has no known disadvantages.

Recovery

The hysterectomy recovery period relies on the method used. Patients can leave the hospital in 2 to 5 days. Patients can generally turn back to work in approximately 10-12 weeks, relying on the nature of their profession.

Risks

Hysterectomy operation risks and complications can include:

● Excessive bleeding 
● Infection 
● Urinary incontinence 
● Vaginal prolapse 
● Chronic pain 
● Fistula formation 
● Blood clots formation 
● Injury to surrounding organs

Side Effects

The side effects of hysterectomy operation can include:

● Pain and discomfort 
● Slight bleeding and vaginal discharge 
● Menopause 
● Infertility

Success Rates

Hysterectomy reviews set the average success rate at 98.2%.

Before And After

If the ovaries were removed while in the hysterectomy operation, the patient will enter menopause. If not, menopause will start at an earlier age. Women ought to avoid heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks after the operation.

Faq

- When can I have sexual intercourse after hysterectomy? 

Patients can engage in sexual activities around 6 weeks after the operation. 

- Are there any precautions I need to take during the hysterectomy recovery period? 

Patients need to avoid driving or using any type of public transport while they are in the hysterectomy recovery period. Lifting heavy objects also must to be avoided, just as running or jumping. 

- When can I continue exercise or sports? 

Patients can continue sports or exercise once the hysterectomy recovery period is finished.

Back To Work

2 weeks

Back To Sports

6 weeks

Extra Content

This content is written and reviewed by our medical content team in August, 2019.